







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| That's extreme, I don't think we have a mortar and pestle. | |
| Until you just light your cigarette. | |
| Do you know the pub around the corner? | |
| Whose cat?... Do you mean my cat? | |
| Cate, are you okay? You seem a little bit aggressive. | |
| Is it possible not to be able to find return tickets? | |
| Who the f*ck is that, what's the time? | |
| You don’t look like an English teacher to me. | |
| Why did you ask, do you want me to boil it? | |
| No, I won't... I don't want a house in Mayfair anymore! | |
| Where is my f*cking tenner? | |
| How old are you? | |
| They also have three big windows in their room! | |
| He is 70 and my mum is 64. | |
| Hi, I don't think it's broken. | |
| Absolutely not, while you are working you smoke like a chimney. | |
| What's wrong with him? | |
| I would like to... But I have other things to do... | |
| Then he finds out he is a robot, not a real kid. | |
| I agree, long flights aren't very pleasant. | |